I attended two events this last week that I wanted to comment on. The first was a CAPE Forum at Chico State on homelessness, featuring a sociology professor, a philosophy professor, the director of the Torres Shelter, and a Butte College student who had been homeless and stayed for several weeks at the Torres Shelter.
Cynthia Siemsen, the sociology professor, gave a fascinating history of homelessness, asking us when we thought the first anti-vagrancy law had been passed. In my mind, I was guessing some time in the 19th century, but she told us that 1349 was the date of the first vagrancy law, which was prompted by events like the rise of the capitalism and the population decimation of the plague. Basically, feudal lords wanted to keep a ready work force and not have to pay them any more than they had before the plague, so laws were passed that stated that those not attached to a job were considered vagrants. The claim was that those who refuse labor would give themselves up to vice or "other abominations." So, from the fourteenth century, the perception arose that those who are somehow outside of the wage-labor system are stigmatized, or as Siemsen put it, quoting another sociologist, are "tainted, discounted." Certainly, the modern day conception of the homeless does reflect this idea not of a whole person but of one both tainted and discounted.
Becky Cox-White, a philosophy professor who teaches moral theory, spoke about whether those who are homeless can be seen as responsible for their homelessness, and she outlined a theory of responsibility that hinged on one's mental competence and the availability of reasonable options. Based on those criteria, most who were homeless could not be seen as ultimately responsible for their homelessness. Professor Cox-White also insisted that our society has a responsibility to care for these people, and she suggested that we all practice sacrificing something small--the daily mocha, lunch out--and giving that money to support those in society who need it.
Brad Montgomery, the director of the Torres Shelter, spoke of his experiences at the shelter and how they are hoping to serve more people and serve them better through their current remodeling and expansion. But he started his talk with his own story, one of meeting his father for the first time at age 6 and finding out that his father had been homeless and struggling with alcoholism. His story had a happy ending, as his parents reconciled and he built a loving relationship with his father, who managed to stay sober. The Butte College student who spoke related how her time at the shelter was positive and healing, and while she still is in transition, living with friends, she is no longer homeless and looks positively to the future.
The second event featured Bill Such of The Jesus Center, who led the Barnes and Noble book discussion on Sunday and discussed his work at the center as well as some themes of The Soloist. Bill spoke eloquently about his own life experiences and about our culture's attitudes toward the homeless. What I found particularly interesting were the questions from the audience about how to approach homeless people--should I give someone money if he/she asks for it? what about the young, able-bodied folks who hang out at Children's Park?--and Bill Such's message was that each of us needs to find a way to give of ourselves, whether it is in time, money, talent. The important piece is that of connection to and compassion for the homeless, so that we affirm our essential shared humanity. Bill used the phrase "I am because we are" to describe this sense of interconnection.
I found both events inspiring and affirming, and I welcome comments from those who attended either one.
About Me: Kristen Mahlis teaches in the Multicultural and Gender Studies Program at Chico State. She is writing a book on literature and the Haitian Revolution, and her scholarly work and teaching emphasize social justice.
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